DISMISSAL OF LIEUT. COLONEL ROOKES.
The career of Liet. Col. Eookes in the Military Service of JSTew Zealand has como to an abrupt close. We have, during the last two years, repeatedly called attention to the manner in which milita affairs wore managed in Wanganui, where Lieut. Col. Eookes held the position of Officer Commanding, and are satisfied that the recent appointment of another officer was a step in the right direction, and afforded some guarantee of a better system of administration in the future. Itappearsthat Lieut. Col. Eookes was much aggrieved at the new appointment and objected to hold a subordinate position under Lieut. Col. Gorton. We are not in possession of the exact facts, but it is pretty certain that Lieut. Col. Eookes applied for leave of absence to visit Wellington, that the request was refused, and that he came away without permission. His reception hero was not very favorable, and it was quietly hinted that he had better at once return to his post. This he declined to do, if ho were to talce a subordinate position, and his dismissal from tho service of the Colony was the result. As will be seen from our Parliamentary Eeport, the Colonel has sent a letter to his Excellency, praying him not to take tho advice of Ministers in the matter of his dismissal from a position, " which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to tho Legislature," till a Court of Enquiry has been held. He has further had the presumption to send circulars to the members of the Assembly, asking " their vote and interest" in support of his demand. Wo think Lieut, Col. Eookes should have taken his dismissal quietly. His day of "backstairs influence," has gone by, and neither his letter to the Governor, nor his canvass amongst the members will be of any use. It would be an act of unnecessary cruelty to grant a Court of Enquiry — a cruelty which we hope tho Government wili spare Lieut. Col. Eookes the infliction.
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Bibliographic details
Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2265, 30 September 1865, Page 5
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338DISMISSAL OF LIEUT. COLONEL ROOKES. Wellington Independent, Volume XX, Issue 2265, 30 September 1865, Page 5
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